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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Whoops...we bought a house!

I know that the "whoops" part sounds silly,

but that's exactly how I feel.

Last weekend we cleared the rest of the stuff out of the garage of the old house, and even though we haven't closed yet, I felt like we turned a page...started a new chapter...like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders. I've been waiting to start looking at houses, because we just didn't feel like it was the right time. The last thing I wanted to do was find a house and our other one not be sold. We've been busy and I've not felt 100% (shoot, I didn't even feel 50%) And we were "unsettled" in our hearts and minds about what we should do.

I started looking on the internet this week, and had a huge bucket of ice water thrown on me concerning house prices. We haven't looked at houses for 12 years and let's just say we had a rude awakening as to what's out there and the price you have to pay for it. yowsers. Our area has always been affordable, but this summer, houses are selling like proverbial hotcakes, and not having looked for over a decade, I was a little out of touch with the local housing market.

(I have no idea what that is on the mantle...?)

Matter of fact, it was down right depressing, of all the houses out there that needed tons of work in our price range. We could get a lot of space that came with lots of updates, or less space and newer with fewer updates, but then we have the issue of what we had left in our storage units...multiple storage units...as in many. We sold and gave away literally tons of stuff. But when we boil it all down, we just need to have a certain amount of space we feel comfortable in, and without it we both get whiny. He has his stuff, I have my stuff, and we don't like to trip over each other.

(This is the Dining Room and the stairway to the basement)

We spent an afternoon with our realtor making the rounds in the area we want to be in, (close to hubby's office) and were seeing house after house that just wasn't right. On a whim, we decided to go inside this one that we had seen as a drive by the night before. Hubby had grabbed a house info sheet and said he probably wasn't interested. The "distressed" shutters and front door effect just wasn't working for it. But the next day when we went inside we were more than pleasantly surprised.

The cabinets are pickled, but in need of a little more "pickle", so that's on my list of things to do. That's black granite on the countertops, which is really pretty, and a brand new stainless French Door fridge. So far I'm wondering where my white cabinets are and my dark hardwood floors I've been pinning on my Pinterest Boards... That glowy thing in the back is the microwave with a serious reflection from the windows. It has 11 ft. ceilings that make me feel like a munchkin, and a finished walkout basement. It really is a wonderful house.

OK, I have to tell you, light woods are not my first pick, but I wanted newer and white woodwork, and the funny thing was that when we walked in the front door my husband evidently heard angels singing and saw the clouds part. He was for sure that this was it. what...? He just doesn't get excited over houses...never...ever. I was ready to pace ourselves, keep looking, and stay current with new listings. But not Hubbs, he was fired up and ready to start negotiating. So negotiate he did and by the end of the day yesterday we signed up for another mortgage and the whole nine yards. go figure.

We won't close until the end of next month, but I have to say I'm relieved that this house looking process was about as painless as it could be. We have a few repairs to do, some yard clean up, and painting the shutters and front door. I may need some ideas from you all on that.

God has blessed us for sure...

I took tons of photos today, but we were in a hurry and I didn't bring my tripod so they weren't the best. These are just a peek, so you can get a little idea of what it's like. I'm making steady progress with the new medication and have another appointment in a couple of weeks. So maybe by next month I'll be doing even better. I'm more than ready to be "settled". I'm super excited and my head is swimming with ideas.

Gotta tell you, I'm looking forward to having some pumpkins on those steps, people. Hurry up Fall,

Oh, Debra, I'm just so happy for you!!! Isn't it funny how you know exactly what features you want in a house, but you can walk into a house that's totally different and know you're home? Your new house is beautiful and I can't wait to see the pumpkins on your steps! Congratulations on the sale of your old home and the purchase of the new place you'll be soon calling home!

I feel your pain. We started this past January and closed/moved in June 8th, oh about six weeks ago. We are in a new home, in a new town!! Here's wishing you the best, especially as your start cleaning and packing. At our age, I never want to do that again. God bless your new home and move! :) -Bev

whats on the mantle? its a radon detector. its only left their for 14 days, then the reality agent returns it to the company that reads the levels 6 different times in each of the days the machine is there.. thats tabulated and they come up with the overall radon number for a 30 day period.. if its too high the house cant be sold till they find out why and fix it.. insurance companies now require the radon test before they will insure a home.. ust a safety precaution for everyone..

Hi Debra! I'm glad to hear you're feeling better and Yay! on the new house. It looks beautiful! God does surprise us sometimes. This time last year I would never have thought we would have sold our house, moved to our condo and then bought another house in New York! Be a sweetie,Shelia :)

Congrats - I know you're going to make it wonderful!! We move into our "new to us" house at the end of August and I know I am excited to get in there...our new house needs much more work than yours - but I'm up for the challenge as I'm sure you are too!! Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Wow!!!! That was fast!!! You're not even settled in your apartment and , boom, you're moving again!!! Congrats!! Looks good, you will work wonders with it. Is it a one level?? Looks like its as big as the house you just left!!!

Congratulations, Debra! It looks like a lovely home. All the best in your new home. I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Our home is going on the market Tuesday. We haven't moved out. It is showing furnished. We only have one storage unit just about filled...discussed another one yesterday, because there is so much stuff even after purging/donating...and so on!! When we get a contract, we will be moving the rest of our furnishings to storage. We have found a couple of possibilities in new builds. Still mulling over all that!

We are grateful for the little apartment we leased. What a wonderful oasis it has turned out to be.

What a new, beautiful home! I think the shutters are gorgeous (yes, they need a little paint) but a great look indeed! Congrats on moving ahead quickly! We are close to moving into our cottage....8 months of renovation, yikes! You will make this home stunning! Praying you will keep feeling better and better~~~Blessings~~~Roxie

Very exciting! It looks lovely and like you will have plenty of room to play and display! I bet you will start feeling better now that you can begin to settle down and decorate again and not be in limbo~Jenna

Debra,Congratulations!!!I still stand in awe and amazement of how God's love works in ones life!I truly, understand your husband's reaction. . .when "Mr. Ed" and I enter our home for the first "look through". . .we both felt as if someone had given us a warm fuzzy hug and whispered, "Welcome Home"!Like you, this was not the house I had been planning on having either, but it has been exactly what we needed! We are so~o~o very blessed.I am thrilled to hear that your health is steadily improving.Would love to hear an update from your physician's visit!!Keep focused on what lies ahead!!!Something good is going to happen to you, I'm sure of it!!!Fondly,Pat

Congratulations, Debra! How wonderful to have found a new home so quickly. I can already imagine your touch on these spaces and will look forward to photos after you've moved in. I'd have a hard time waiting a month!Blessings,Donna

What a pretty house! I find at this point in my life I know exactly what will work and not work, in regards to a house. It's so much easier when you don't have to worry about making it right for 5 people and can focus on whats best for two. Bravo! Congratulations!!

So happy for you...the house looks beautiful but will be even more so with that Debra touch!! Isn't it amazing how God's ways are not our ways so many times. We are "surprised" by His grace when we really shouldn't be. Very soon, all the work, mess, and waiting will be a distant memory and you will be feeling so much better ready to conquer new horizons. Continued prayers for you and your health!! Stay encouraged......God is in this! Linda

Congratulations, Debra! I'm so glad this large "to do" has been lifted from your shoulders. Sometimes these things just fall into our laps {and I think those are the best, meant to be things}. It looks great and I know you will put your own touch on these rooms. I love the shape of the shutters, but I can see your hubby's meaning that they could do with a fresh paint job. Their looks isn't doing them any justice. Well, it looks really sweet. Did I miss just how big the house is {as far as square footage}? Here's hoping everything moves forward swiftly and painlessly! : )

Congrats Debra,The house is adorable. You will have your decor touches on it in no time. Isn't it amazing that you walk into so many homes and then the one just hits you and feels like home right from walking in the door. So happy for you.I know you wanted a new place to call your own. You are right I can see a cute pumpkin and fall design going on those front steps.Kris

That's wonderful news! Congratulations, Debra! You'll have a lot of fun making this new house your home.It's great to hear that you new medication works and you feel better. I'm sure the new house situation will help too.Have a lovely Sunday!

love your home, I also love the distressed shutters!!!!!!!!!! they are cool! I would much rather have light wood floors....I have dark wood floors and you see the dust every other day! I can not stand seeing the dust !!!!!

I know from personal experience that being "unsettled" is one of the hardest things to deal with. Now you know where you're going to be and I know you're already decorating in your head. Congratulations!Brenda

Debra. Congratulations, sounds pretty painless and really pretty fast. Good lucky start. In no time you will have your new home all spiffed up as only you can do and can't wait to see how it progresses. Looks very pretty, love the kitchen layout. Oh, autumn will be a beautiful season and glad your new meds are working and you are feeling better..Happy Weekend..Judy

I am so happy for you. We are still waiting for our due diligence on our house. The deal folded Friday and then the buyer called our realtor crying, saying she really wanted our house. So now we are waiting for her realtor to give us the final deal. I am praying that it will go thru. I will update you! Di@Cottage-Wishes

Your new house is beautiful! I can see adding a porch that runs on either side of the steps if there's room. The shutters might need a few more boards on each as I've heard they should look wide enough to cover the window. If you have time, you could have the floors refinished to a darker shade as you were looking for and could have the cabinets painted any color you wanted. Wow, I think I'm ready to move in that house as I've already started visioning it in my mind...LOL.

I smiled when you said it was unusual for your husband to be so excited about a house. I was just looking at a house with a realtor friend (for decorating ideas) when Hubs decided to ride along. We were in a 4 year old home we had built. We walked in to this model and he said "I think we'll have to buy this." I thought he was kidding but no. We put in an offer, contingent on sale. Our home sold two days after listing, and we moved in to our new home 2 months later. Have been here 10 years now, and still love it.Congratulations, but take care to stay rested and well :)

Congratulations Debra!!! It looks lovely and ready to move into. You will have fun putting your personal touch on it. I actually like those distressed shutters. Not something you see everyday and perfect for someone who loves vintage things, but I can also see why you'd want to paint them. I think I'd live with them for awhile until I decided on the perfect color change.Cindy

Debra,Congratulations! Surely it is meant to be when you walk into a home and it embraces you in what almost seems a welcoming hug. Houses just like people evolve slowly over time. Enjoy your lovely new home as you feather it with your decor enhancements and build loving memories.Vera

Debra,I'm so excited for you! I know you will be glad to get in this beautiful home. The front reminds me of Pat's at Back Porch Musings. I guess the brick is similar. You'll have fun working with this, I know. I'm praying you get your energy back and can get it like you want. Take care!!

Congrats Debra, on finding your new home. I am in the same situation that you are in....sticker shock on the price of homes. My husband passed away suddenly, in Dec., so I am in the process of moving closer to my daughter. My daughter is a real estate agent and has found me a garden home, on the golf course (doesn't mean anything to me, but it does have beautiful trees and grounds), about 4 min. from her home. I have lived in my current home for over 36 years, so moving will be a big adjustment for me. My home is now paid for, so that is something that I have thought about a lot, but I know that it is best for me to move. It will be a bittersweet moving day, and I am sure that I will cry many tears. I plan to move to the new place and then put my old house on the market. I just don't have the energy to have it on the market, while I am still living in it. Hopefully, it will not take too long to sell. Good luck in your new home and may you have many happy memories in it. Take care, Susan

I thought you intended to build, this will be much less stress. Once you start putting your touch on it it will be stunning. Take care of yourself and enjoy the journey. Looking forward to making it with you.

Congrats!! So I guess it was made to be. We just got a house too and it was the second house we saw but it's beautiful! I guess house hunting sometimes is not too painful. That's good. I know you will make this house a dream! XoIsabelle

Congrats Debra!! I know how relieved you and your husband are feeling! We are sodas in the same boat. We are looking but have not sold. We can either buy older which is need of the updating and still more than we want to pay or we can buy smaller with all the updates or we just stay put. We just do not know so we are waiting for that house where the angels sing!;) Can not wait to see you make your new house a home!:)

Congrats Debra! Same thing happened here. My husband found our Colonial when he just "happened" to drive through the neighborhood it is located in. He NEVER drives through neighborhoods. He says it takes too long. LOL! It will be exciting to see all that you do to it! Hope you are feeling better every day! Have a lovely weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse